👑🐑🐐👑 The local Board of Cattlemen of Caspe. 8 centuries of history

The Local Board of Cattlemen of Caspe celebrates this year a very special anniversary. 800 years of history have been completed since its founding in 1220.
It is one of the oldest private institutions in Spain and at the same time less known. It was founded, even before the Mesta, born 53 years later and today, already disappeared.
In 1220, King Jaime I of Aragon founded the Villa de Caspe ranchers' Ligallo.
A ligallo is an Aragonese term used to refer to a local group of shepherds.
The ligallos were one of the main social and economic institutions during the Middle Ages.
The Caspe ligallo ended up evolving in what is now known as the Local Board of Cattlemen of Caspe. Throughout all these years, and until today, he has worked to defend the interests of the Caspe ranchers.
The origin of the ancient Ligallo de Caspe probably dates back to the period of Visigothic domination and could even be earlier.
Since it was founded, its internal rules have hardly changed, although they have been adapting to the New Times.
During its long history, it has remained faithful to its origins, and continues to be today, the defense of farmers and their interests its main function.
Especially
• disease control and
• negotiation with land owners and
• the leasing of pastures,
• o mediation in conflicts between farmers and farmers or between farmers themselves,
Not forgetting other important functions today fallen into oblivion such as
• The awarding of brands for livestock,
• the defense of steps and cabins, or
• the provision of quarantine areas,
Currently it continues to be a company dedicated exclusively to extensive sheep and goat farming. To become a member it is still an essential requirement to have a herd of at least 50 sheep and to be registered in Caspe.
The result of all this work and the fineness of the pastures in the Caspe area have given rise to a type of high quality cattle.
The Aragonese satin herds are predominant throughout this territory.
Goat cattle have been losing importance, although, until a few years ago, important bulls were kept in the area.
Today's society does not understand how important extensive ranching is. There is still a lot of work to do.